Washington, DC – As the Bush Administration today delivered for congressional review an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation between Russia and the United States that was signed last week, Chairman Howard L. Berman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee issued the following statement:

“I am very concerned about the implications of an extensive new agreement for nuclear cooperation with Russia at a time when Russia has not been fully supportive of tough and far-reaching multilateral sanctions to convince Iran to cease its dangerous uranium enrichment activities.

“The Bush Administration has not received enough support from Russia in dealing with Iran to justify moving forward with this agreement at this time. Administration officials briefed our committee last week, but they were unable to offer convincing answers to our questions; we will give them a further opportunity in hearings on this subject next month.

“The Foreign Affairs Committee will very carefully review the agreement itself and all relevant issues, including whether additional legislation is required.”